BSkyB increase share of Premier League games

July 30th, 2009 BSkyB earns supported by homebound consumersLONDON — Satellite TV service British Sky Broadcasting Group posted fourth quarter earnings of 90 million pounds ($148 million) as more consumers turned to home entertainment in the recession. The net profit for BSkyB, which is 39 percent owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., compared to a loss of 9 million pounds a year ago.

June 26th, 2009 UK regulator targets BSkyB movie, sport dominanceLONDON — British Sky Broadcasting's premium sports and movie channels should be more broadly available through other television platforms, Britain's communications regulator said Friday, adding that it may force a wholesale offer of the services. The Office of Communications said it believes BSkyB is limiting distribution of these channels to rival TV platforms, thereby restricting consumer choice.

May 9th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has warned Manchester City that his team can smell the Premier League title thanks to striker Cristiano Ronaldo who has fired seven goals in the last eight games. Boss Ferguson believes his Manchester United players are as up for a derby as they have ever been, with the finishing line fast approaching in both the Premier League and Europe.

May 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hopes of ending their 19-year wait for a league championship rest's on Manchester United's opponents. He believes that even if they let him down, the rest of the Premier League will have to get used to Liverpool being a genuine force again.

April 27th, 2009 LONDON - Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he will warn his players about the skill of Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor when Arsenal ahead of their clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Ferguson - who says retaining the Champions League trophy would bring him more pleasure than a third consecutive Premier League title - insisted: "Right now Arsenal are the form team - just one defeat in 24 is a good run.

April 19th, 2009 LONDON - English football is set for a revolutionary change with the sport's bosses seriously considering plans to start a second Premier League. Bolton's Phil Gartside, one of the longest-serving chairmen and an influential member of the Football Association's board, has put together a blueprint that is being circulated among key figures within the game.

April 11th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal might not be in football's English Premier League title race but manager Arsene Wenger feels that his club will give tough fight to the team that wins this year's title. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all have to play the north London club before the end of the season.

April 9th, 2009 LONDON - Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has said that Manchester United is guilty of complacency and warned his team mates that they must rediscover their focus if their season is not to end in failure. In less than four weeks United have seen a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just one and face a battle to reach the Champions League semi-finals after a 2-2 draw with Porto at Old Trafford.

March 23rd, 2009 KOLKATA - Cricketers and sports lovers in Kolkata Sunday expressed disappointment at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s decision to shift the Indian Premier League (IPL) out of India. Former national selector Sambaran Banerjee described the BCCI's decision as 'ridiculous'.

March 18th, 2009 LONDON - Football's most powerful clubs are hatching plans for a European Super League which could destroy the Premier League. According to The Sun, the Euro revolution would see the creation of three divisions - each with 20 teams.

March 16th, 2009 LONDON - Riding high on his sides stunning performance to beat Manchester United 4-1, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has raised questions over United's hope of bouncing back in the league. Gerrard said he still hopes that Liverpool can pull it off and win the title.

March 15th, 2009 LONDON - Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez 100th league win has convinced him that his side can still win this year's Premier League title. The Sunday Express quoted him as saying: "If we can beat United and Real, we can beat anybody.

February 12th, 2009 LONDON - After taking charge of Chelsea, Dutchman Guus Hiddink has said the London club is still in the race to win the Premier League. Hiddink, who will also continue in his role as the Russia coach, arrived here Thursday and was welcomed by chief executive Peter Kenyon at the club's Cobham training complex.

January 21st, 2009 ROME - Striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo began training with his new club Bologna after his transfer from Fiorentina. 'My options were (English Premier League side) West Ham (United) or Bologna,' the club's web site quoted the 23-year-old as saying.

January 20th, 2009 MUMBAI - Amidst the economic downturn, India's real estate major DLF Wednesday said it was committed to stay on as the title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the term of five year. 'Our commitment towards the DLF Indian Premier League remains resolute and long term, given the immense synergies involved.